Movers and Shakers news roundup

Our latest roundup of movers and shakers from across the world of health IT includes a new CDIO at an ICS in Cheshire and Merseyside and The Health Informatics Service welcoming a new managing director. 

Alex Chaplin has been appointed chief digital information officer (CDIO) for the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Integrated Care System (ICS).

He joins the ICS from his role as senior responsible officer (SRO) at the Department of Health and Social Care which involved working with digital leaders in NHS trusts, NHS Digital and NHSX on provider digitisation.

Chaplin said: “As a local resident living in Cheshire, I want to make a ‘difference through digital’ not just across the Cheshire and Merseyside footprint but also within the nine individual local authority areas or ‘places’ it’s made up of.

“The opportunity to make a difference in outcomes for our friends, family and neighbours, whilst addressing health inequalities across Cheshire and Merseyside through becoming a national ICS exemplar is professionally compelling.”

Chaplin will succeed Paul Charnley who joined the Partnership in April 2020 and who’ll be going into semi-retirement, whilst he continues to work part-time in the Wirral, where he lives.

Louise Shepherd, SRO for the Digital Programme, said: “I am delighted to welcome Alex to the Partnership’s Digital Programme team. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong track record of achievement”.

“I also want to thank Paul Charnley for his huge contribution to the Partnership’s Digital Programme, as under his leadership the programme has gone from strength to strength. In particular during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the rapid-rollout of a range of digital innovations that were instrumental in supporting Cheshire and Merseyside’s response. With the support of staff and stakeholders from across the Partnership he has helped to lay substantial foundations on which we as a Digital Programme can continue to build on.”

Alex Chaplin took up his new role this month, and will work closely with Paul Charnley and the Digital Programme team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.

The Health Informatics Service (THIS) – a digital healthcare and IT specialist providing services to improve patient care – has welcomed a new managing director.

Jim Rea, joins THIS from US-based Merck Pharmaceuticals, where he was North American director of technology.

He says: “THIS has an amazing track record of delivering great services to colleagues, clinicians, third parties and, most importantly, to our patient population. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to working with the team and our broader group of stakeholders.”

THIS is an NHS-hosted health informatics organisation governed by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) which comprises of two hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, as well as community sites and health centres.

Digital health coaching company Liva Healthcare has appointed Dr Naresh Kanumilli as its new medical director in the UK.

Dr Kanumilli will lead the medical supervision of Liva in the UK and will be responsible for liaising with Liva’s major clients on medical services. The practicing GP will also lead on defining and executing medical research as well as studies into the clinical outcomes of the digital health coaching programmes.

André Sode, CEO at Liva Healthcare, said: “Dr Kanumilli is an excellent addition to our team. He brings a wealth of medical insight and practical experience to the role. Both of these qualities will be essential in helping Liva to assess and optimise our digital health coaching programmes and services, improving the lives of people living with diabetes and prediabetes throughout Europe.”

October has seen Dr Junaid Bajwa and Mark Stansfeld joining the board of governors at Nuffield Health – the UK’s largest healthcare charity.

Dr Bajwa has spent more than 15 years working across primary care, secondary care and public health settings, in addition to acting as a policy maker within the UK, where he specialises in informatics, digital transformation, and leadership.

While Stansfeld has over 30 years’ experience in the telecoms and digital economy, driving innovation and adoption of new technologies and businesses.

Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, chair of Nuffield Health, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Junaid and Mark to the Board. Their background and experiences will complement the existing Board with different experience, knowledge and connections that will be invaluable to the charity.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we are at a pivotal time in the Charity’s history, with an even greater ambition to have a positive impact on people’s lives and help build a healthier nation. I have no doubt that these additions to the Board will help us progress even further on this journey.”